Advertisement

Spain announces 30-man World Cup squad

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Spain announces 30-man World Cup squad
Spain's defender Gerard Pique raises the trophy following the 2010 FIFA football World Cup between the Netherlands and Spain in July 2010 in Soweto, South Africa. File photo: Gabriel Bouys

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque on Tuesday has named the uncapped David de Gea, Dani Carvajal and Ander Iturraspe in his provisional list of 30 players for the World Cup in Brazil next month. It's a group that would be the envy of any coach in the world.

Advertisement

Del Bosque will announce his final squad of 23 players to defend the trophy they won for the first time four years ago on May 25th, a day after Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have disputed the Champions League final in Lisbon.

Manchester United's De Gea replaces the injured Victor Valdés as the third-choice goalkeeper, whilst Carvajal and Iturraspe are rewarded for their excellent seasons with Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao respectively by offering cover in defence and midfield.

Nationalized Brazilian striker Diego Costa is included among the forwards after scoring 36 goals this season which have propelled Atlético to the brink of a Champions League and La Liga double.

Costa is one of four Atlético players included along with right-back Juanfran, midfielder Koke and Spain's all-time leading goalscorer at international level David Villa.

Chelsea's Fernando Torres is also included despite another difficult season at club level as are Juventus' Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City with only one likely to make the final cut.

Real Madrid Álvaro Arbeloa has failed to make the grade, while Spain legend Carlos Puyol is not match fit.

Barcelona remain the most represented club with seven players from the Catalan club selected, including Andres Iniesta who scored the winner in the World Cup final back in 2010.

Four Real Madrid players are included in the list, while 13 are based outside Spain.

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli/ITA), David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG)   

Defenders

Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich/GER), Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)

Midfielders 

Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Tiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG)

Forwards

Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus/ITA), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG)

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also